Dental Veneers in La Vista, NE

If you’re considering getting dental veneers or have had them in the past, it’s important to know how long they will last. Depending on the type of veneers you receive will play a part in how long your dental veneers will last. Proper care of your veneers will help ensure you get the most out of them. 

Taking Care of Your Dental Veneers

Once your dental veneer procedure is done, your job is not over. Patients will need to follow proper oral health guidelines to make sure their dental veneers stay in good condition. If you want your dental veneers to last as long as possible, use the following list to stay on top of your oral health: 

Daily Brushing + Flossing

You should already be brushing your teeth twice a day, but it’s always nice to have a reminder. Brushing your teeth should take around two minutes to ensure you are removing the plaque on your teeth. Patients should also be flossing their teeth once a day.

Limit Sweets

Limiting the number of sweets you consume is a good idea if you have dental veneers. You don’t have to completely stop eating sweets, but it’s important to be aware of how much you are consuming so you can be mindful of your oral health. 

Regular Dental Checkups

Visiting our La Vista, NE office every 6 months is vital for making your veneers last as long as possible. During your visit, we will professionally clean your teeth to make sure they are free of any plaque and debris. 

Composite vs Porcelain 

The lifespan of your dental veneers depends on the type of dental veneers you received. Porcelain veneers can last anywhere from 10 to 12 years with the proper care. However, composite veneers usually only last between 4 and 8 years. 

Some dental veneers can last up to 20 years if you take great care of them. Your dentist will know when the right time to replace your dental veneers is, so always ask your dentist if you have any questions about the timeline. 

Know When It’s Time To Replace Them

Replacing your dental veneers is similar to the process of first getting them on. Your dentist will start by filing away and refining the bonding agent. Then, they will retake a mold of your teeth to ensure your new veneers fit just as well as your previous set. They will then create your new dental veneers and bond them back on your teeth. 

Dental veneers, with the proper care, can last many years. You should always follow proper oral health guidelines to make sure your dental veneers last as long as possible. If you have been considering dental veneers, reach out to Nebraska Dental Center to get your questions answered. 

Paying For Dental Care in La Vista, NE

Going to the dentist can be daunting, especially if you don’t have dental insurance or your insurance isn’t in-network for a certain clinic. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get regular dental care. Many dental offices offer dental membership plans, sometimes referred to as membership plans, for those that don’t have insurance. 

Signing up for a membership plan with your dental care provider can help make sure you get the dental care you need- even without insurance!

What Are Dental Membership Plans?

Dental Membership Plans are membership-based discount plans for dental health care. These plans are a great alternative to dental insurance, and plan members typically save between 10-60% on the regular price of dental care and treatments. By joining a dental membership plan, you gain access to member-only discounts that participating dental care providers have agreed upon. You pay the discounted rate directly to the dentist- no insurance is needed! 

What Do Dental Membership Plans Cover?

This all depends on the practice, but typically they cover the following: 

• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Restorative Dental Care
• Specialist Dental Care
• Preventative Dental Care

Talk with your dental office to see what they provide with their own membership plan.

Choosing a Dental Membership Plan That’s Right For You

One big plus of having a dental membership plan is that you have options. Simply by searching for the following, you can choose a plan that’s right for you:

• By savings: Choose the plan that has the best overall savings
• By dentist: Choose the plan that your dentist accepts
• By procedure: Choose the plan you want basing on your dental care needs. 

Here at Nebraska Dental Center, we want to make sure everyone has the option to get dental care. That’s why our dental membership plan can help you have peace of mind when you visit the dentist. To find out more about our dental membership plan, call us at (402) 331-1695. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t get the dental care you deserve.

Treating Halitosis in La Vista, NE

Bad breath and the holidays don’t go well together. Nebraska Dental Center offers halitosis treatment for patients in La Vista, NE so you can feel confident in your smile this holiday season. If you suffer from halitosis – you are not alone. Below are some tips for treating bad breath during the holidays!

Hydrate Your Mouth

Water is a great help to wash away any bacteria in your mouth, which can help combat bad breath. Here are some tips to avoid dry mouth this holiday season:

1. Remember to drink water during your holiday feasts. This will help you stay hydrated as well as avoid dry mouth and bad breath. 
2. Limit your coffee and alcohol intake – keyword: LIMIT. We know the holidays are for having fun and celebrating with your family and friends, but both coffee and alcohol encourage you to use the bathroom which can leave you feeling dry as a result. Limiting these drinks can help control the symptoms of dry mouth. 
3. Avoid that holiday cigar. Smoking cigars can dry out your mouth, so if a holiday cigar is a tradition of yours, try avoiding it this year. 

Don’t Pass Up The Veggie Tray

There is always a vegetable tray at every holiday party – don’t skip on those snacks! The crunchy vegetables stimulate the production of saliva, which can wash away the bacteria in your mouth. When you attend your next holiday celebration, eat crunchy vegetables like carrots, peppers, and broccoli. Fruits also have the same effect, so eat as many apple slices as you want! 

Skip The Eggnog

The number one holiday treat that causes bad breath is eggnog. Since the two main ingredients are dairy and sugar, and many people add alcohol to this holiday treat, it is a perfect recipe for bad breath. 

Opt For Sugarless Gum

We know that reaching for a stick of gum is what most people grab first when they want to fight their bad breath. Chewing gum is still a good way of avoiding bad breath, but we suggest opting for sugarless gum this holiday season. When selecting a sugarless gum, look for brands that have the ADA seal on them. 

Don’t Forget Your Gifts, And Don’t Forget To Brush!

The holiday season is hectic, but it’s important that you continue to brush your teeth on a routine schedule. Your hygiene routine is likely to be disrupted if you are enjoying late nights with friends and early mornings with family. Brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day will always be a great way to combat bad breath.

No Date This Holiday Season? No Problem!

We know that not having a date during the holidays can be lonely, but Nebraska Dental Center is always here for you to schedule an appointment. We’re more reliable than a holiday date anyway! 

Don’t Let Bad Breath Ruin Your Holidays

If you implement these tips we’ve outlined above, you are sure to have perfect breath for all of your holiday get-togethers! If you have any questions about halitosis, or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to call our office at (402) 331-1695. 

Happy holidays from Nebraska Dental Center!

Preventing Cavities in La Vista, NE

Cavities, often referred to as tooth decay, are tiny holes that develop in the hard surface of your teeth. They are most common in children and teenagers, but they can affect everyone including infants and toddlers. Take a closer look at what causes cavities and how you can prevent them.

Causes of Cavities

Cavities typically occur as a result of poor oral health habits but other various factors can increase the risk of getting a cavity, including:

• Dry mouth. Dry mouth occurs when there is a lack of saliva in the mouth. Saliva helps wash away food stuck on the teeth and it counters the acid produced from bacteria in the mouth, which reduces the chance for cavities.
• Foods and drinks. Certain foods aren’t as easily washed away from saliva, making them more likely to cause decay. Foods you should limit include: ice cream, honey, sugar, soda, cake, chips, cookies, and hard candy.
• Constant snacking or sipping. Drinking or eating frequently throughout the day results in increased bacteria in your mouth. This bacteria produces the acids that attack tooth enamel.
• Lack of fluoride. Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps prevent cavities and can reverse the early stage of tooth decay. Using a fluoride mouthwash is recommended.

Cavity Prevention

Regular dental visits and daily brushing and flossing are the best protection against cavities. But, cavities left untreated get larger and larger, affecting the deeper layers of your teeth. Deeper cavities result in higher chances of experiencing severe toothache and infection. So, when it comes to cavities, prevention is key. Below are some of our cavity preventions tips:

• Brush with fluoride toothpaste. Brush and floss twice a day, ideally after each meal.
• Visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. Professional teeth cleanings remove plaque that builds up over time which isn’t removed by regular brushing and flossing. Going to the dentist twice a year is one of the best cavity prevention options.
• Dental sealants. Sealants protect the tooth enamel from harmful plaque and bacteria.

Learn More About Fillings and Sealants at Nebraska Dental Center